Journal article
Visually-based alternatives to sediment environmental monitoring
Marine Pollution Bulletin, Vol.158, 111367
09/2020
PMID: 32753171
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Source: InCites
Abstract
Visually-based approaches using techniques such as sediment surface images as well as sediment profile imaging (SPI) have been applied previously in the assessment of benthic impacts of organic enrichment. New visually-based benthic health indices (VBH and Surface Index) that integrate various visual properties was developed for muddy and sandier sediments, respectively. Visual indices were compared to the existing sulfide-based thresholds often used in environmental monitoring programs (EMPs). We utilized both techniques as well as geochemical indicators of eutrophication to detect benthic impacts at shallow shellfish and finfish farms in Nova Scotia, Canada. The visual indices were able to capture a non-sulfidic anaerobic condition in the sediments missed by the current sulfide-based system. Our results indicate that as presently configured, the visual based index will provide a more stringent standard in the EMPs that currently rely on a sulfide-based classification system, and thus affect regulatory judgement.
•VBH and Surface Index identify/fill gaps in current Environmental Monitoring Program•50–65% of EMP defined sites were reclassified using new visual indices.•More stringent monitoring technique for aquaculture environmental assessments
Details
- Title
- Visually-based alternatives to sediment environmental monitoring
- Creators
- Michelle Simone - Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW 2480, AustraliaJon Grant (Author) - Department of Oceanography, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
- Publication Details
- Marine Pollution Bulletin, Vol.158, 111367
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Identifiers
- 991012925033902368
- Academic Unit
- Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry; School of Environment, Science and Engineering; Faculty of Science and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article